The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 12, 1997
Filed:
Oct. 02, 1992
Vincent C Adams, Buffalo Grove, IL (US);
Michael K Platt, Mt. Prospect, IL (US);
David L Poole, Libertyville, IL (US);
James W Ensinger, Palatine, IL (US);
Zebra Technologies Corporation, Vernon Hills, IL (US);
Abstract
A thermal demand printer for printing on media is a novel system which includes a case structure including a hinged cover panel, easily removable guide structures and media hanger, and a single central support wall to which the various components are attached. The printer includes a power supply circuit for receiving power from an external source and conditioning it for operation of the printer. An input device is provided for receiving command signals related to the operation of the printer. A control circuit for processing the command signals and generating corresponding control signals for controlling the operation of the printer and a printhead assembly for processing the control signals and generating corresponding control signals for controlling the operation of the printer are mounted in the case structure and coupled to the input device and the power supply circuit. The printhead assembly includes a printhead support structure which controls the printhead. A ribbon take-up spindle, method of operating the take-up spindle using a PMDC motor, and a spring wrap clutch device help to control the tension in the transfer ribbon used in the printer. The printer also includes a medial sensor and a method of sensing media by way of detecting the opacity of the media passing through the sensor. The printer includes a method of printhead control using double data loading and a method of accelerating and decelerating media relative to the printhead using pulse width modulation.